Jacob Trouba knows what many people are saying both under their collective breath and otherwise out loud — that he probably couldn’t wait to force his way out of Winnipeg.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

The defenceman was shipped to the New York Rangers on Monday night for a return that includes the 20th overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft and fellow blue-liner Neal Pionk.

There is no doubt Trouba is thrilled about the prospect of what lies ahead, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the Jets organization or something he has against the city.

“There are definitely things I’m going to miss. That was my life for six years, some of my best friends are on that team or have played on that team,” Trouba said in a telephone interview with Postmedia on Monday night. “I’ve played with (Andrew Copp) for 15 years. The biggest thing is the people I’ve encountered. My favourite game was that comeback against Nashville in the playoffs. That’s what sticks out as one of my favourite moments. It’s probably one of the favourite goals I’ve ever scored, to tie it up against Nashville. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a louder building than that one at that point.

“But I’m super excited for a new hockey opportunity and a new place. It’s different, so that’s something you’re naturally excited about. I haven’t thought too much into it, but I know a couple of guys there. You know about the city and playing at MSG on the road, for me, was one of my favourite spots to play. Just with the history and the crowd and the buzz, it’s just a whole new world. I’m excited for new avenues of life and new experiences.”

Trouba, 25, had a feeling his time with the Jets was likely coming to an end this off-season, but it’s not like he has been glued to his phone waiting for a move to be announced.

“Not too crazy, I didn’t really have much insight into it, I knew as much as everybody else knew, with the rumours and what not. But I wasn’t really expecting anything today and then I got a phone call,” Trouba said in a telephone interview less than an hour after learning the news. “I just find out when everybody else finds out, through rumours and Twitter and what-not. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to it. I keep tabs on it, but it was out of my control and I just do my normal stuff I do, throughout the day and in the summer.”

Folks around here aren’t going to like the fact a homegrown draft pick is gone — and that’s OK.

But this decision is about more than hockey for Trouba.

It’s personal.

“It’s a great opportunity for myself and my fiancée,” said Trouba, whose partner is about to start her residency in her quest to become a doctor. “Her career is as important as my career. We both are passionate about different things and our goal from a couple of years back was we wanted to make this work. And we decided we wanted to make this work. This is part of it, to be realistic with you.

“From a life standpoint, that’s what I decided in the end. I’m going to marry the girl and I want her to be happy and for her dreams to be fulfilled. She’s worked extremely hard to get where she is with schooling and the time she’s put in. I want her to see her be successful just as much as I want to be successful.”

So it’s not that Trouba has an issue with the Jets or Winnipeg in general, but playing in the United States makes his life easier on a number of fronts.

Trouba has been through a lot since the Jets chose him with the ninth overall selection in the 2012 NHL draft.

He left the University of Michigan Wolverines after his freshman season to sign a pro contract and he made an immediate impact as a rookie.

After his third season, Trouba didn’t like the prospect of playing on the left side or being behind Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers on the depth chart on the right side, so he asked for a trade.

But the Jets weren’t going to give him away or be forced to make a move, so Trouba signed a bridge deal after the contract stalemate cost him the first 15 games of the season.

“Growing up, it’s not the side you ever think about or see, but it’s a reality,” Trouba said. “It’s business. I understand their point of view and I understood my point of view. I believed in what I thought and I was willing to do what I did. I don’t regret it and it was nothing against the organization or anyone. It was the situation and what I thought was best for me. Sometimes you’ve got to think about your own career and make decisions off of that.”

As for his future, Trouba wasn’t ready to discuss whether he was open to signing a long-term deal with the Rangers.

“We haven’t really worried about it. I’m just trying to get through the night and enjoy it and everything that’s going on,” Trouba said. “I’m sure we’ll deal with it in the morning and start those talks in the morning.”

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